Education

School

School Dean

Department

Department Chair

The state of the American educational system is one of the most debated topics on our national agenda. Everyone seems to have a proposal on how to best educate the young people of this country. Despite their different approaches to the problem, all proponents of educational reform agree on one thing: to keep our schools globally competitive, we need competent, dedicated teachers.

At St. Mary's University of San Antonio, we have long been committed to preparing teachers for the important role they play in our society's future. Our elementary and secondary teacher certification programs integrate rigorous academic training and supervised field experience with a well-rounded education, providing our students with the tools they need to be effective educators.

More importantly, the programs attempt to instill in our students an appreciation for the enjoyment and fulfillment derived from the teaching profession. This requires that St. Mary's teacher certification candidates be committed to a profession wherein they can make a difference in the lives of young people. If you share this passion and commitment, we invite you to consider becoming a part of our educational community.

Students wishing to pursue teacher certification must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 (cumulative, content area, and all Education courses) and obtain satisfactory scores on the THEA.

Major in Teacher Education

The structure, organization, and management of the American School System with emphasis on the state and local structures in Texas; legal and ethical aspects of teaching; essential components of effective learning environments; and classroom management techniques designed to address the needs of diverse elementary school populations. Structured observations and field experience required.

ED 3302. The American Secondary School. 3 Semester Hours.

The structure, organization, and management of the American School System with emphasis on the state and local structures in Texas; legal and ethical aspects of teaching; classroom management techniques designed to address the needs of diverse secondary school populations, and essential components of effective learning environments. Structured observations and field experience required.

ED 3306. Essential Elem Mathematics III. 3 Semester Hours.

A study of topics from elementary mathematics with an inquiry-based learning approach. Topics for the course include foundations of geometry, measurement, area, volume, geometry of motion and change, probability and statistics, and pictorial representation of data. Technology will be integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: MT 1303.

ED 3316. Child Development and Learning in the School Setting. 3 Semester Hours.

Introduction to the development of interrelationships among the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical stages of children and adolescents; the analysis and uses of theories of learning to determine instructional strategies to meet the education needs of this population. Structured observations and field experience required.

Course content explores the nature and design of educational activities with an emphasis on instructional planning, formal and informal assessments, and the utilization of assessment outcomes to inform instruction. Structured observations and field experience required. Prerequisites: ED 3301.

ED 3330. Teaching Diverse Populations. 3 Semester Hours.

This course examines current research, policies and professional practices pertaining to cultural diversity and the educational needs of special populations. Emphasis will be on teaching strategies and learning environments that improve teacher effectiveness within an increasingly diverse school setting. Structured observations and field experience required.

ED 3340. Reading Methods of Teaching Reading. 3 Semester Hours.

This course examines principles of literacy learning in young children and provides an introduction to theories and effective practices for teaching reading and writing in the elementary school. Teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding skills, vocabulary, word attack skills, and comprehension strategies to English Language Learners and struggling readers is emphasized. Structured observations and field experience required.

Study and use of standardized and informal testing materials and methods for diagnosing individual and group reading strengths and weaknesses in each of the five components of Scientific Based Reading Research (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Fluency). Individual diagnosis and prescriptive techniques for struggling readers will be emphasized. Field experience is required with lesson planning and reflective evaluation of each session.

Inquiry into the basic psychological and linguistic aspects of reading and the relationship of language and thought. Emphasis on research related to psycholinguistics, language acquisition, and language development as well as the instructional implications gathered from research. Field experience required. Prerequisite: ED 3340.

ED 3345. Reading-Language Arts. 3 Semester Hours.

Integrated language arts instruction with emphasis placed on separate subject instruction and the effects of each upon the total reading program. A review of the language arts curriculum, objec tives and skills, scope and sequence of skills. Prerequisite: ED 3301.

Introduction to reading in content areas for instruction in secondary schools. The study of instruc tional strategies to develop technical vocabulary; frames of reference; pupil use of visual and or ganizational aids; of prediction and verification skills; of notetaking, research, and study skills. Over view of methods used in reading programs. Field experience required. Formerly ED 3306.

The study of instructional strategies to develop vocabulary, frames of reference for content area material; visual and organizational aids and verification skills, comprehension, and study skills necessary to improve learning in various academic subjects. The development of fluency, spelling, and grammatical conventions of academic language for English Language Learners and special populations will be emphasized.

ED 3361. Adolescent Development in the School Setting. 3 Semester Hours.

Introduction to adolescent development and theories of learning with emphasis on physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth; Instructional planning; motivation of adolescents; pupil measurement and evaluation; multicultural implications in adolescent development. Field experience required.

Course content will relate the experiences of current professionals and student teachers to best practices. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge, application, and evaluation of principles, procedures, and techniques of effective classroom teaching. Courses will, additionally, emphasize the application of TExES competencies as a foundation for effective teaching and learning in elementary classes. Prerequisite: currently registered in ED 4639.

Acquisition and development of basic reading skills from pre-kindergarten through the intermediate grades with a focus on the scope and sequence of skills needed for effective comprehension and independent reading. Instructional strategies for teaching English language learners, special populations, and struggling readers will be emphasized. Structured observations and field experience required. Prerequisites: ED 3340, ED 3341.

Acquisition and development of basic reading skills for intermediate grades through high school. Emphasis on functional reading skills, on scope and sequence of skills needed for basic independ ent reading and on skills needed for reading to learn. Preparation of materials, activities, and teach ing strategies for a developmental reading program for students in the intermediate grades through high school. Prerequisites: ED 3340, ED 3341, ED 3351.

Knowledge, application, and evaluation of principles, procedures and techniques for effective classroom teaching with emphasis on the application of TExES competencies for effective teaching and learning in secondary classrooms. Course content will relate to the current teaching experiences of student teachers and teachers. Prerequisite: currently registered in ED 4639 or ED 5398 or ED 5399 or currently teaching.

A thorough study of critical issues, cogent problems, or current needs in Education such as instructional use of computers, analysis of teaching behavior, or formal evaluation of teachers. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit when specific subject changes. Prerequisite: Permission of Chairperson of Department of Education.

ED 5290. Special Topics in Education. 2 Semester Hours.

A thorough study of critical issues, cogent problems, or current needs in Education such as in structional use of computers, analysis of teaching behavior, or formal evaluation of teachers. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit when specific subject changes. Prerequisite: Permission of Chairperson of Department of Education.

ED 5390. Special Topics in Education. 3 Semester Hours.

A thorough study of critical issues, cogent problems, or current needs in Education such as instructional use of computers, analysis of teaching behavior, or formal evaluation of teachers. Specific subject indicated each time the course is offered. May be repeated for credit when specific subject changes. Prerequisite: Permission of Chairperson of Department of Education.

ED 5398. Teaching Internship I. 3 Semester Hours.

For persons employed as teacher-of-record in a public or accredited private school. The teach ing intern performs all duties of a first-year teacher. Evaluation based on performance as a full - time, first-year teacher. Three semester hours for one semester. Teacher certification requirements specify two consecu tive semesters of teaching internship for a total of six semes ter hours. Prerequisites: Bachelor Degree; completion of all teaching field courses and all Profes sional Development courses except ED 4338 or ED 4388, and ED 4639 or ED 4689. Enrollment is restricted to persons who meet the requirements for the State of Texas Post Baccalaureate Teaching Intern ship and who have life experiences to support a teaching internship. Recommendation of the Edu cation Department and approval by the Faculty Committee on Teacher Education are required.